Hyundai Sonata Recall Involves As Many As 139,500 New Sedans

Hyundai is recalling some 2011 Sonata sedans to fix a problem with the steering that could cause drivers to lose control. The recall is a setback for Hyundai, which has rolled out impressive vehicles in the last few years while trying to shake its image as a bargain-basement brand.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration connections between universal joints and a steering shaft in the steering column may have been improperly assembled or not tightened enough. If the connections come apart the driver could lose steering completely.

Dealership technicians will inspect the steering mechanism on recalled cars to make sure it is assembled properly and tightened sufficiently. The recall affects as many as 139,500 Sonata’s built between Dec. 11, 2009 and September 10, 2010. The repair process is expected to begin next month, The agency says. Hyundai could not be reached immediately for comment.

Hyundai had been on a roll with the Sonata, which it redesigned with a sleek, flowing shape. The design is a departure from the Korean car maker’s tradition of conservatively styled cars that blend into traffic instead of standing out. The new car is considered a 2011 model although it has been on the road since earlier this year.

Comments (5 of 13)

2011 Hyundai Sonota Cruise Control:\r\nMy new sonota's cruise control does not brake the vehicle when going down a hill. The car begins to increase its speed by over 20 km per hr and would exceed that amount if the brakes were not applied.
Hyundai technical and customer relations people tell me that this is a normal feature.
I am concerned that this feature is now a safety hazard and should be addressed by the Hyundai Motor Car company. In previous Hyundai vechicle that I have owned, the crusie control when going down a hill does brake the vehicle and performs as it should.

Is this "non-braking feature of the Hyundai Sonotat 2011 GLS automatic cruise control system" normal.
How can it be resoled.

I can visualize a opertor if not fully attentive when the cruise control is engaged and travelling down a hill, rear-ending a vehicle in front and causing serious injury.

2:46 pm September 28, 2010

Peter wrote :

I bought a 2011 Sonata SE and absolutely love the vehicle. I found out yesterday about this recall and it's getting fixed today. My whole experience with Hyundai has been great. Issues like this come up, what really matters is how they are handle and Hyundai is doing a great job of handling this one. Even given the current recall, I would buy the vehicle again without giving it a second thought. What you get for the price isn't match by other companies today.

1:55 pm September 28, 2010

ThoughtPolice wrote :

Well, well, well. The road from bargain basement to mainstream is indeed not without bumps in the road and having to pay one's dues. The price of entry on being a real car company.

I do chuckle at their smug TV commercials, though.

1:07 pm September 28, 2010

nellar wrote :

That sleek flowing shape of the new Sonata is a knock-off of the Volkswagen CC. Hundai is good at building knock-offs. They let VW or Honda or whoever develop a technology, wait a few years to see if there are any bugs to be worked out, then copy it. For example, VW had direct injected 200 hp four cylinder engines in 2005. Now here comes Hundai bragging about their 200 hp fours in 2010. Who needs them? If I wanted a 2010 Sonata, I could have bought a 2005 Passat or a 2007 Accord.

7:54 am September 28, 2010

jeff wrote :

Usually the very last thing you read in the assembly instructions is "now tighten all bolts".